"Black Bone" MRI: a novel imaging technique for 3D printing

Area of Science:

• Medical imaging
• Biomedical engineering
• Radiology

Background:

• Three-dimensional (3D) printed anatomical models are crucial for pre-operative planning.
• The
• Black Bone
• MRI technique offers a non-ionizing alternative to CT for bone visualization.
• This method enhances the bone-soft tissue boundary by minimizing soft tissue contrast.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the potential of the
• Black Bone
• MRI technique for generating 3D printed anatomical models.
• To assess the accuracy of 3D printed models derived from
• Black Bone
• MRI data.

Main Methods:

• Black Bone
• MRI data from adult volunteers and infants with craniosynostosis were acquired.
• Data were 3D rendered and 3D printed.
• Accuracy was assessed using a custom phantom, comparing measurements from CT and
• Black Bone
• MRI derived models segmented with two software packages.

Main Results:

• Black Bone
• MRI successfully produced 3D models of the craniofacial skeleton in adults and an infant.
• Measurements from the phantom and 3D printed models showed sub-millimeter discrepancies, indicating high accuracy.

Conclusions:

• The feasibility of producing anatomical 3D printed models from
• Black Bone
• MRI data has been demonstrated.
• This technique presents a potential non-ionizing alternative to CT for craniofacial skeleton applications.